PokerStars to reimburse PKR players

Online poker giant PokerStars is to take the unprecedented step of reimbursing PKR users after the latter’s shutdown left around 60,000 players out of pocket.

It was revealed in early May that online operator PKR was suffering from financial difficulties, and its subsequent cessation of operations left players unable to access their accounts or withdraw their balances.

Amaya-owned PokerStars has opted to step in and refund those players, having begun the process of contacting the affected PKR player-base.

Following a “relatively simple process” detailed in PokerStars’ email instructions, PKR players will be able to have their PKR funds made available in a PokerStars account, “no strings attached”.

Many PKR players already have PokerStars accounts – those that do not will need to open one, although PokerStars has emphasised that there will be no obligation on users to play with those funds, and will be looking to make them available for withdrawal as soon as possible.

Eric Hollreiser, Corporate Communications lead at PokerStars, said in a release on the company website: “We're not doing this to improve our bottom line and we are not acquiring or planning to revive the PKR software platform.

“We're doing this because we think it's the right thing to do for the poker world and to encourage others to join us in putting you, the player, first by segregating and protecting player balances from operating funds.

“PokerStars is proud that we're in a position where we're able to step in and help these players and encourage all companies in the industry to put players first.”